Printopia Festival of Original Print

PRINTOPIA FESTIVAL OF ORIGINAL PRINT is back from the 5th to 7 May 2023 at Corban Estate Arts Centre.

Auckland’s annual printmaking festival is pleased to bring to you another exciting, print-filled weekend of inspiring talks, demos, workshops, live printing, a print fair, and exhibitions. 

The festival will feature some of the best established and emerging print artists in the country with an outstanding array of techniques to inspire visitors. Meet artists, learn about their process, try it yourself and buy some original prints. For the full programme of both free and ticketed events, please visit www.printopia.nz

Festival Programme

Live Printing
Saturday, 6 May 10am – 3pm & Sunday, 7 May 10am – 3pm. Free entry.

See printmaking in action with our live printing events dispersed throughout the Print Fair. You can have a go at printing on an antique letterpress machine with Graham Judd of Inkiana Press. Also back by popular demand, screen-print legend Thomas Lynch of Artisan Screen Prints will be printing tees and totes with some exciting new PERMASET® speciality inks including metallic, puff and glow-in-the dark! Screen-print a colourful bandana with Latin American female art collective, SUR Collective or a renegade, calico patch with woodblock artist Hamish Oakley-Browne, Director of Te Kowhai Print Studio in Whangarei. Bring your own item to upcycle with a unique print!

Print Demos & Talks
Saturday, 6 May 10am – 3pm & Sunday, 7 May 10am – 3pm. Free entry.

Gain an insight into a particular technique through these fun and informative 45-minute demos. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet the artists, ask questions and learn more about their arts practice. A carefully curated selection of talks will give an insight into the ideas, history and culture that has shaped the exciting developments in contemporary print in Aotearoa.  

Print Fair

Friday, 5 May 6pm – 9pm, Saturday 6 May 10am – 3pm & Sunday 7 May 10am – 3pm. Free entry.

Tripling in size this year, the Print Fair will feature over 25 vendors from across the country bringing you the very best of contemporary printmaking in Aotearoa. Grow or start your print collection, with prints ranging from $20 to $2,000. You’ll find established artists, such as Pōneke Wellington artist Sheyne Tuffery exhibiting alongside emerging artists, print groups and galleries. This year students from tertiary institutes, including Otago Polytech Dunedin, Ara Art and Design Christchurch and WITT Te Pukenga Taranaki will be sharing their work at the Print Fair. Browse the quality printmaking materials and equipment on display from art suppliers and stockists including The French Art Shop, Gordon Harris Art Supplies, PERMASET® and Aotearoa Art Supplies. Free entry. 

We are extremely grateful to our sponsors who help us sustain Printopia and its various activities.